DODGERS NOTEBOOK: NO MORE RELIEF FOR DREIFORT.

Byline: Marc J. Spears Daily News Staff Writer

It wasn't long ago that Darren Dreifort owned a 0-4 record as a starter, struggled in the middle innings and was being questioned about whether he should be sent back to the bullpen.

Today, the former reliever could reach the .500 mark with a victory over the Colorado Rockies.

On May 11, Dreifort was 0-4 with a 4.61 ERA. But since then, the right-hander has dropped his ERA 1.05 points and improved his record to 4-5.

Pitching coach Goose Gregson isn't surprised by Dreifort's turnaround. Gregson says the 26-year-old has progressively gotten stronger as a starter, uses both sides of the plate more effectively and is using his pitches better. Dreifort is also 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA in his past five starts since reuniting with Charles Johnson, his catcher during the 1992 Olympics.

``I've always felt that (Dreifort) has the stuff to be a workhorse starter,'' said Gregson. ``He is a big, strong guy with a great work ethic and big, strong set of legs. This guy has the potential to go out there every day and throw eight or nine innings.

``Those guys are hard to find out there. I've always felt more comfortable with him as a starter than a reliever.''

While reaching .500 could be a great landmark for Dreifort, he says he hasn't thought much about it.

``It is more important that we win the ballgame,'' said Dreifort. ``whether it's with me or with the bullpen. I'm not really concerned about it.''

Karros conference: After much ado about his recovery from his knee injury, Eric Karros held a mini pregame press conference to answer all the knee questions at once.

The first baseman has kept a limp, described Advil as ``candy'' to him and has said his knee might never be the same and he should have rehabbed longer. On Friday, he arrived at Dodger Stadium five hours before the game to receive about two hours' worth of treatment, but he says he is progressing. He also said he wasn't planning on taking a stretch of games off, but he will rest when his knee isn't cooperating.

``I don't know how much a difference it would make (if I rested),'' said Karros, who missed the season's first 21 games after having left-knee surgery. ``It's my choice.''

Etc: Dodgers reliever Darren Hall will begin a 20-day rehabilitation assignment today with Single-A San Bernardino at Visalia. The right-hander, who will throw either one inning or no more than 15 pitches, hasn't thrown since April 3 because of a right rotator cuff tear. . . . Through six interleague games, the Dodgers' 4-2 record ties them for second in the National League with three other clubs and they are fourth in ERA at 2.72.

DODGERS VS. COLORADO

Time: 1:05 p.m. at Dodger Stadium.

TV/Radio: Channel 11; 1150 AM, 1330 AM (Spanish).

Matchup: In the second of a three-game series, Dodgers right-hander Darren Dreifort (4-5, 3.56) faces Rockies right-hander Jamey Wright (4-6, 5.88). Dreifort won for the fourth time in five starts last Sunday at Seattle by allowing one run in eight innings. Dreifort is 4-1 with a 2.41 ERA in his past five appearances.

--- Marc J. Spears

CAPTION(S):

Box

BOX: DODGERS vs. COLORADO (see text)